New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office captain terminated after crash investigation
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A longtime New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office captain has been terminated following an internal investigation tied to a crash and allegations she was untruthful with investigators.
Kristin L. Blanchard was terminated May 20 after the sheriff’s office determined she violated agency policies involving conformance to law, truthfulness and dishonest or improper conduct following an investigation into her conduct on May 16, according to disciplinary records.
Court records show Blanchard was charged in New Hanover County with failure to immediately report an accident involving property damage, resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer, and operating a vehicle at a speed greater than was reasonable for conditions.
According to the citation, authorities allege Blanchard was involved in a crash on U.S. 74 near N.C. 133 that caused more than $1,000 in damage to a 2022 Dodge Durango and a North Carolina Department of Transportation guardrail. Investigators also allege she was untruthful with a state trooper and identified another person as the driver during questioning.
She is charged with failure to report an accident, exceeding safe speed, and resisting a public officer.
Disciplinary records show the sheriff’s office investigation concluded Blanchard violated sheriff’s office policies and that the disciplinary action resulted in termination effective May 20.
Employment records show Blanchard had spent more than 20 years with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. She began as a detention officer in 2005 and later served in multiple roles, including deputy, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain.
Records also show Blanchard received a written reprimand in 2006 involving policy violations related to off-duty alcohol use and damage to sheriff’s office equipment or property.
At the time of her termination, she was earning $62.52 an hour.
Blanchard is scheduled to appear in New Hanover County District Court on July 21.
